disagreeable, especially as he has borne little or no part in training up the service, and bringing it to a perfection which has convinced the publick of its great utility in defending the Province against the attacks of the enemy, and as he had not the least share in the late engagements with the enemy’s ships of war: They do, therefore, warmly remonstrate against any such appointment, and declare to this Board that they will not submit to it, nor will they obey any Commander so irregularly set over them. And lest this Board should imagine that your Remonstrants intend to resign their commissions in case such an appointment should take place, they would inform this Board that, as the safety of their country appears to require it, they mean to continue in the service, and to appeal to the justice of their country; and they have not the least doubt of obtaining ample redress from that publick which it has ever been their greatest glory to serve with fidelity. They do further remonstrate against any appointment of Marine Officers to command the Row-Galleys now on the stocks, seeing they are built upon a larger and better construction, as this Board must know that it is equally contrary to custom and the laws of war, and tending to fix a stigma upon the elder Commanders without showing reason therefor, and thereby holding up to the publick suspicions of their want of abilities. Your Remonstrants conceive that the line of appointment is plain and easy, and can never be deviated from without manifest injury to the characters of those over whose heads the appointment is made: they do, therefore, object to all such appointments; and, as they wish not to be troublesome to this Board, they conclude with requesting that, whatever fate their Remonstrance may meet with, this Board would be kind enough forthwith to inform them of what they mean to do in the matter, that your Remonstrants may have it in their power to pursue that line of conduct which shall enable them to obtain from their country that justice which may be denied them by this Board.

Signed for and by order of the whole:

H. DOUGHERTY,
JOHN RICE,
JOHN HAMILTON.

Philadelphia, June 18, 1776.

NEW-JERSEY CONVENTION TO PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.
[Read June 19, 1776.]

Our Colony has, of late, been alarmed with sundry attempts of disaffected persons to create disturbances. The Proclamation of William Franklin, our late Governour, for calling together the Assembly, is one of those which we have thought deserving the most serious attention. Enclosed we have sent a copy of certain resolves, which we have thought necessary to pass on the occasion, together with a copy of our instructions to Colonel Heard.

We this minute received, by express from Colonel Heard, a letter, of which the enclosed is a copy. We have ordered Mr. Franklin down to this place under guard, and now beg leave to submit to the consideration of Congress whether it would not be for the general good of the United Colonies that Mr. Franklin should be removed to some other Colony. Congress will easily see the reasons of this application, as Mr. Franklin, we presume, would be capable of doing less mischief in Connecticut or Pennsylvania than in New-Jersey. Whatever advice Congress may think proper to give us we shall be glad to receive, and would further intimate that the countenance and approbation of the Continental Congress would satisfy some persons who might otherwise be disposed to blame us. The enclosed printed papers will show what steps we have taken with respect to the Militia.

I am, sir, your most humble servant.

By order of Congress:

SAMUEL TUCKER, President.

To President Hancock.

Proceedings of Convention of NEW-JERSEY respecting the apprehending WILLIAM FRANKLIN, Esq., late Governour of that Colony.

Resolved, That, in the opinion of this Congress, the Proclamation of William Franklin, Esq., late Governour of New-Jersey, bearing date on the 30th day of May last, in the name of the King of Great Britain, appointing a meeting of the General Assembly to be held on the 30th day of this instant, June, ought not to be obeyed.

Resolved, That, in the opinion of this Congress, the said William Franklin, Esq., by such his Proclamation, has acted in direct contempt and violation of the Resolve of the Continental Congress of the 15th day of May last.

Resolved, That, in the opinion of this Congress, the said William Franklin, Esq., has discovered himself to be an enemy to the liberties of this country, and that measures ought to be immediately taken for securing the person of the said William Franklin, Esq.

Resolved, That, in the opinion of this Congress, all payments of money on account of salary or otherwise to the said William Franklin, Esq., as Governour, ought from henceforth to cease, and that the Treasurer or Treasurers of this Province shall account for the moneys in their hands to this Congress, or to the future Legislature of this Colony.

Resolved, That the following order issue to Colonel Nathaniel Heard, of Middlesex County:

“The Provincial Congress of New-Jersey, reposing great confidence in your zeal and prudence, have thought fit to entrust to your care the execution of the enclosed Resolves. It is the desire of Congress that this necessary business be conducted with all the delicacy and tenderness which the nature of the business can possibly admit. For this end, you will find among the papers the form of a written Parole, in which there is left a blank space for you to fill up, at the choice of Mr. Franklin, with the name of Princeton, Bordentown, or his own farm at Rancocus. When he shall have signed the Parole, the Congress will rely upon his honour for the faithful performance of his engagements; but should he refuse to sign the Parole, you are desired to put him under strong guard, and keep him in close custody until the further orders of this Congress. Whatever expense may be necessary for this service will be cheerfully defrayed by the Congress. We refer to your discretion what means to use for that purpose; and you have full power and authority to take to your aid whatever force you may require.”

The following is a copy of a Letter from Colonel Heard :

“Amboy, June 17, 1776.

“SIR: Agreeable to an order and resolve of the Provincial Congress lately sent to me, I this morning, with Major Deare, went to Governour Franklin, and desired him to comply with the order of Congress, and sign the Parole sent me, which he absolutely refused to do, and forbade me, at ray peril, to carry the order into execution. We then left the Governour’s house, and ordered a company of Militia, which were in readiness, to attend, and have placed a guard of about sixty men at and around his house. I expect he will persist in refusing to comply, and therefore send this per express, and beg the further directions of Congress respecting this matter as soon as possible by return of the bearer, and shall act accordingly.

“I am, in great haste, sir, your most humble servant,

“NATHANIEL HEARD.

“To Samuel Tucker, Esq., President of the Provincial Congress, New-Jersey. ”

Ordered, unanimously, That a copy of the following Letter, signed by the President, be sent to Colonel Heard :

“SIR: It is the desire of Congress that you immediately bring William Franklin, Esq., to this place, under such guard as you may think sufficient.”

SAMUEL TUCKER TO PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.
[Read June 20, 1776.]

Burlington, New-Jersey, June 18, 1776.

SIR: Some time in March last, by order of our Committee of Safety, I sent, by Messrs. Livingston and De Hart, some counterfeit bills of Continental currency, done, as appeared by the affidavits accompanying the same, by a woman and her husband, then confined in Morris County jail. The Representatives of that County having informed